The Linguistic Diversity Collective and Creative Manchester present a free event taking place on 19 October at 5.30pm in the University of Manchester’s Alliance Manchester Business School penthouse event space.

Supporting Manchester’s language communities: Language endangerment and maintenance includes a cross-disciplinary panel, a Q&A session, language activity stands and a drinks reception. The event is open to all members of the public.

This is a hybrid event and can be attended in person or via Zoom. In-person attendees will be welcomed with a wine/beer/soft drink reception, a goodie bag and the opportunity to take part in language activity stalls.

The panel will explore key themes relating to the endangerment and maintenance of languages from a range of perspectives, will discuss the importance of multilingualism and intergenerational transmission among different communities in Manchester and will address questions including the following:

• How do languages die?
• What is lost when a language dies and why should we care?
• How can languages be maintained in traditional and in urban contexts such as Manchester?
• What is the impact of multilingualism on language endangerment and language maintenance?

Panellists include:

• Chair: Dr Serge Sagna, Lecturer in Linguistics at The University of Manchester
• Julia Sallabank, Professor of Language Policy and Revival at SOAS
• John Claughton of the World of Languages, Languages of the World initiative
• John Wilson of World of Languages, Languages of the World and Head of Modern Languages at Cheadle Hulme School
• Munira Alsusa, headteacher of Manchester Arabic School

• Places are free and can be booked via Eventbrite